Disney’s Splash Mountain Gets New Safety Bars

Guests in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort get a wet ending when riding Splash Mountain! (Photo Credit: Walt Disney World)

ORLANDO (CBS4) – Visitors to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom are getting all wet again if they decide to brave the park’s popular Splash Mountain ride which re-opened Tuesday after being closed for a month for refurbishment.

The ride is reopening with newly installed lap bars. Officials say they hope the feature will prevent patrons from standing up or getting off the ride while it’s still operating.

The ride carries a chain of connected boats through an inside corridor and concludes with a 52-foot drop on a 45-degree angle.

Issues with the ride first arose in 2000 after a 37-year-old St. Petersburg man was killed when he climbed out of his seat during the nine-and-a-half minute ride and was struck by another boat. Officials say they don’t expect significant changes to waiting times and that the ride’s capacity won’t be affected.